What Is Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a disease that affects bone health and density. Bones are constantly breaking down and replacing themselves like other living tissues do. When suffering from osteoporosis, bones can’t replace all of the tissue that breaks down, causing them to weaken significantly. At first, osteoporosis doesn’t have any symptoms. The only way to find out whether you’re showing early signs of the disease is to have your bone density measured by a medical professional. Later on in the disease, once the bones have been significantly weakened, symptoms can include:

Bone fractures, especially one caused by normally non-threatening actions, like a small fall or bending or twisting of the body.

Fractured or collapsed vertebra (causes back pain)

A stooped or curved posture

Decrease in height

If you experience any of these symptoms, visit a doctor immediately. Even if you have no symptoms, it is extremely important to schedule an appointment to talk with your doctor about your chance of having osteoporosis and about having your bone density measured, since older adults are more likely to suffer from osteoporosis. Other high risk factors include:

Having a smaller body frame

Having a family history of the disease, especially if a parent or sibling suffers from it

Being of Caucasian or Asian descent

Being a women, since loss of estrogen after menopause causes bones to weaken

Having pre-existing thyroid or other gland problems

Suffering from dietary issues such as low calcium intake, an eating disorder, or having gastrointestinal surgery

Long-term usage of medications such as oral or injected corticosteroid medications, and certain medications that treat seizures, gastric reflux, cancer, or transplant rejection

Osteoporosis prevention is all about eating well and keeping a healthy lifestyle. A few prevention tips are:

Incorporating extra protien, vitamin D and calcium into your diet, all of which aid bone health.

Maintaining an appropriate weight that is neither overweight nor underweight. While those with thinner frames are at a higher risk of osteoporosis, recent studies have linked wider frames to increased chances in arm and wrist fractures.

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Created to keep NYC’s senior citizens updated and knowledgeable on key resources, health options, healthy living tips and lifestyle activities, that impact their lives, ‘New York for Seniors’ is a movement that galvanizes the community toward improving the quality of life for our NYC senior population.